Well that was very unexpected… The 'Post Game Thoughts' return as the winning streak (short but sweet) is over...
Just when things seemed to be going great…Andy Pettitte gets back on track with a strong outing, Kyle Farnsworth looks impressive yet again, and the offense scratches out enough to put the team in position to win…the unexpected happens.
Joba Chamberlain serves up a 3-run home run to David Delucci and instead of a 4-game winning streak going into tomorrow’s game with Chien-Ming Wang on the hill, we will spend the next 20 hours or so talking about how Joba is in fact beatable.
Delucci’s home run marked the end of 12.1 consecutive innings without the bullpen giving up a run.
THE GOOD:
Andy Pettitte…6.1 innings of solid baseball…got out of trouble when he needed to and gave the Yanks innings, which for the most part, the starters have not done this year.
Jason Giambi…His RBI opposite field double in the 4th inning was exactly what the Yankees need him to do…
Kyle Farnsworth…Continues to do the job in the 7th inning
Ian Kennedy…Made a AAA start tonight…I know, it’s not the majors, but nonetheless he had a perfect game through 5.2 innings and wound up throwing 7 innings, only giving up one hit. Obviously this doesn’t immediately get him out of the doghouse, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Jose Molina…No one ever doubts his defensive ability and his throw-down to second base to catch Francisco stealing, from his knees no less, was very impressive.
THE BAD:
Joba Chamberlain…I have a theory that Joba is already in a class with Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Rivera when it comes to Yankee fans holding them in extremely high regard. Even so, he lost the game for us tonight, hopefully something we don’t say too often this season. (I for one am not panicking)
THE UGLY:
Ah, its obvious that the ugliest part of this game was Joba giving up the home run in the 8th inning. Some will be quick to criticize, but over the long haul that is a 162 game schedule, these things are going to happen. Just hurts that this is the way the Yanks’ winning streak will end.
Tomorrow is a great pitching matchup as the resurgent Cliff Lee goes against Chien-Ming Wang.
SIDE NOTE:
I guess Ozzie Guillen’s rant on the Chicago reporters worked for Gavin Floyd, who took a no hitter into the ninth inning against the Twins tonight.
